Australian miner BHP says China, India to boost demand

GLOBAL mining group BHP said today it expects China and India to boost demand for its commodities in the year ahead after profits took a hit from lower iron ore and copper prices.  

The Australian multinational, a leading producer of metallurgical coal, iron ore, nickel, copper and potash, said net profit slumped 32% year-on-year to US$6.46 billion (RM28.6 billion) in the six months to December 31.